DANI DREAMS

This year was beautiful, and it hurt. I sit here at my laptop, thinking back, and I can’t help but be grateful. I survived, and I got stronger.

I had a crazy beautiful time with my cousins almost exactly a year ago. All the girl cousins from my mama’s side of the family got together. We talked, laughed, drank, sang, reminisced, and existed in a bubble of love and trust. Something changed in me that evening, one humid and chilly Texas December day in 2024. I can’t put into words what it was, but I can perhaps pick up on how it affected me in a year. 

I started going on walks, moving my body. Getting back into ballet. Meditating almost daily. Somatic exercises, herbal medicine, stretching and hip health. I am better at eating intuitively and with care and love. I learned to love my body, no matter its current shape. And although it sounds like mega discipline, it felt more like… devotion. 

Death visited this year. The waves of grief of losing loved ones didn’t knock me down as badly as they could have. I have such complicated feelings about Death, a fear and a reverence and an understanding and a rage all bunched up together in my heart. These feelings used to lead to breakdowns and self harm… and I still struggle with it. But… this year was a little better, and that’s kind of amazing. 

I earned money with my art, and I connected with my community. I made new friends, danced in Mexico, met the Spirit of my local land, treasure hunted in the backyard with my niece, dressed up for Halloween, and drank so much coffee. 

I guess when it comes down to it, the something that changed in me a year ago was this: I am so clear on what is magical and miraculous and important to me, and little else matters. I spent so much less time this year crying and stressed out over things I felt helpless to change. Instead, I focused on what I felt was within my realm of control. And you know what? That realm of control gets a little bit bigger as you level up in life. 

The world is on fire. War rages, people are hungry and cold, AI slop is everywhere, billionaires are evil hoarders, and our earth struggles to process the toxicity. I will never turn away from my world, with my favorite places and creatures in it, when it cries for help. But grief and love live hand-in-hand, and I will never turn away from the magic and beauty in the world, either. 

I am happy to be here, alive and sparkling, amongst the chaos. I’m excited to dive deep into my art and witchcraft this coming year. Happy New Year, friends. May 2026 bring us all much needed blessings.

XOXO Dani